Tool assembly unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a tool assembly unit for coupling a tool and a tool holder including a measuring device which determines the position of the tool with respect to the tool holder, an alignment device coupled to the measuring device which receives the tool holder, a moveable rod slideably disposed on the alignment device and coupled to the tool which moves the tool with respect to the tool holder to a desired position as measured by the measuring device. The tool may be affixed to the tool holder by heat shrinking.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/315,630, filed Aug. 29, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to heat shrink tools andmore particularly to a device for accurate assembly of a tool to a toolholder by the heat shrink method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Connecting a tool to a tool holder by the heat shrink method is awell-known process. An example of the general process is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,311,654 issued to Harold D. Cook on May 17, 1994. Theheat shrink process is typically used with a tool holder having a borefor receipt of a tool having a shank. The tool holder is heated toexpand the tool holder bore. The shank of the tool is then inserted intothe bore. As the tool holder cools, the bore shrinks around the shankholding the shank within the tool holder.

[0004] The heat shrink method is an effective method for connecting atool to a tool holder. However, in most applications, the tool must beprecisely mounted within the tool holder or the tool holder cannot beused. It should be appreciated that these tools are typically used. inoperations that require very precise alignment and positioning. Slightvariations in the alignment between tool and tool holder results in theproduction of defective parts. One of the major disadvantages of knownmethods for connecting a tool to a tool holder using the heat shrinkmethod is the need to measure each tool and tool holder and theinaccuracy that can result from these repetitive measuring operations.Human error is a significant factor. A worker must measure the toollength and the tool holder length and then adjust the position of thetool to get the appropriate overall length. To reduce human errorsomewhat, another method employs a pre-qualified measuring rod todetermine the appropriate depth of the tool within the tool holder. Whenthis rod wears, the positioning is wrong and resultant tools and toolholders cannot be used. Furthermore, the heat shrink process must bedone quickly to avoid down time when changing tools. If the heat shrinkmethod is slow, tool changes will be slow resulting in the overallslowing of the entire operation in which the tool and tool holder arebeing used.

[0005] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a tool assemblyunit for rapidly and precisely connecting a tool to a tool holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a toolassembly unit for coupling a tool and a tool holder. The unit includes ameasuring device adapted to determine the position of the tool withrespect to the tool holder, an alignment device coupled to the measuringdevice and being adapted to receive the tool holder, a moveable rodslideably disposed on the alignment device and coupled to the tool, withthe rod being adapted to move the tool with respect to the tool holderto a desired position as measured by the measuring device.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a toolassembly unit for coupling a tool and a tool holder by heat shrinking.The unit includes a measuring device adapted to determine the positionof the tool with respect to the tool holder, an alignment device coupledto the measuring device and being adapted to receive the tool holder, aheating device slideably mounted on the alignment device and defining abore for sliding a tool therethrough with the heating device adapted tobe removably mounted on the tool holder for heating the tool holder, amoveable rod slideably disposed on the alignment device and beingadapted to be coupled to the tool, with the rod being further adapted tomove the tool with respect to the tool holder to a desired position asmeasured by the measuring device.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide amethod for coupling a tool with a tool holder using a tool assembly unitincluding a measuring device coupled to an alignment device and amoveable rod slideably disposed on the alignment device. The methodincludes the steps of mounting the tool holder on the alignment device,coupling the moveable rod to the tool, measuring an actual relativeposition between the tool and tool holder, moving the tool within thetool holder until the actual relative position of the tool relative tothe tool holder is equal to a desired position, and removing the toolholder and the tool from the alignment device.

[0009] It is still another object of the present invention to provide amethod for coupling a tool with a tool holder by heat shrinking using atool assembly unit including a measuring device coupled to an alignmentdevice having a heating device slideably mounted thereon and a moveablerod slideably disposed on the alignment device. The method includes thesteps of mounting the tool holder on the alignment device, heating thetool holder, coupling the moveable rod to the tool, measuring an actualrelative position between the tool and the tool holder, moving the toolwithin the tool holder until the actual position of the tool relative tothe tool holder is equal to a desired position, shrinking the toolholder around the tool, and removing the tool holder and the tool fromthe alignment device.

[0010] The subject invention provides many advantages over conventionaltool assembly units by providing a tool assembly unit that rapidly andprecisely couples a tool and a tool holder. One of the major advantagesis reducing or eliminating the need to measure each tool and toolholder, thereby significantly reducing the inaccuracy that can resultfrom these repetitive measuring operations due to human error. Anotheradvantage is that rod wear does not result in improper positioning ofthe tool relative to the tool holder, thereby reducing cost by reducingthe number of resultant tool assembly units that cannot be used.Furthermore, the tool assembly unit of the present invention permits theheat shrink process to be done quickly to avoid down time when changingtools, thus reducing tool change time and encouraging an efficientassembly operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Other advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool assembly unit;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an alignment device usedin the tool assembly unit of FIG. 1; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of the alignment device of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a tool assembly unitis generally shown at 10. The tool assembly unit 10 includes a measuringdevice shown generally at 12, a heating device shown generally at 14,and an alignment device shown generally at 16. A controller 15 controlsthe various operations of the tool assembly unit 10. The controller 15includes a control panel 18 and a display screen 20. In the disclosedembodiment, a work table 22 is also shown for supporting the toolassembly unit 10.

[0016] The measuring device 12 is a standard tool measuring device suchas, for example, a microset unit sold by Tooling Systems Division ofFrankenmuth, Michigan. The measuring device 12 includes an opticalviewer 24 mounted on a vertical tower 26. The optical viewer 24 in thedisclosed embodiment is connected to the controller 15. In use, thedesired length of the assembled tool and tool holder is inputted intothe controller 15 which automatically adjusts the optical viewer 24 tothe correct height along the tower 26. In operation, once the tool 36 iscorrectly positioned with respect to viewer 24, the correct height isknown for that particular desired tool and tool holder assembly.

[0017] In another embodiment, the optical viewer 24 is adapted forcontinuously determining the position of the tool 36 with respect to thetool holder 34. In addition, the controller 15 may be connected to theviewer 24 and the tool 36 and tool holder 34 such that the opticalviewer 24 continuously detects the actual position of the tool 36 withrespect to the tool holder 34 and sends an electronic signal to thecontroller 15 indicating the actual position. In response, thecontroller 15 compares the actual position with the desired position andmoves the tool 36 with respect to the tool holder 34 until the desiredposition is achieved.

[0018] The heating device 14 includes a heater 28 mounted on a slidetower 30. The position and operation of the heater 28 is controlled bythe controller 15. Although two controllers 15 have been disclosed, itwill be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a singlecontroller or any other type of control unit could be used to performthe operation and positioning of the heater unit and viewer.

[0019] With reference to FIG. 2, the alignment device 16 will bedescribed. The alignment device 16 includes a spindle 32 for holding atool holder 34. In the preferred embodiment, the tool holder 34 is heldwithin spindle 32 through a vacuum clamp. The tool to be mounted withinthe tool holder is shown generally at 36. A push rod 38 is adapted toreciprocate through the spindle 32 and tool holder 34 to engage theshank 40 of tool 36. The engagement of the rod 38 with the shank 40 maybe such that they are removably attached, coupled so that the tool 36rests on top of the rod 38 or any other suitable means of coupling ormating such that the rod 38 may move the tool 36 within the tool holder34 to the desired position.

[0020] The rod 38 is removably mounted to an adjustable mount 42. In thedisclosed embodiment, the rod 38 is mounted to the mount 42 through anadjustable screw 44. The rod 38 is removably mounted so that differentrod sizes can be used or the rod 38 can be replaced if it becomes worn.However, it should be appreciated that wear of the rod is not importantto the proper operation of the present invention since the rod itself isonly used as a push rod for positioning the tool 36 with respect to thetool holder 34 and the viewer 24. This operation will be described ingreater detail below.

[0021] The mount 42 is connected to an air slide 46 and to an adjustmentshaft 48. In the preferred embodiment, the air slide 46 provides forrapid adjustment and the shaft 48 provides for fine adjustment. The fineadjustment in the disclosed embodiment is achieved through a gear box 50and an electronic control 52. System air is controlled throughelectronic controls 54 which control pressurized air through air lines56. The electronic controls 54 are coupled to the controller 15.

[0022] A housing top surface is shown at 58 and a mounting bracket isshown at 60. The top surface 58 and the mounting bracket 60 form thesupport for supporting the alignment device 16 with respect to theheating device 14 and measuring device 12.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 3, the operation of unit 10 will bedescribed. In operation, the push rod 38 is initially moved to itslowest position. In this position, the push rod 38 can be replaced ifnecessary. As discussed above, replacement of the push rod may berequired if there has been damage to the push rod or undue wear or if adifferent size push rod is required for a specific mounting operation.The control panel 18, 20 for controlling the push rod 38 is illustratedschematically. The down button 61 would be engaged to move the push rod38 down.

[0024] After the push rod 38 is down, the tool holder 34 is then placedin the spindle 32. The vacuum clamp is energized by pushing button 63 oncontrol panel 18, 20. This holds the tool holder 34 within the spindle32. It is contemplated that a standard vacuum clamp would be employed orany other suitable means of retaining the tool holder 34 within thespindle 32.

[0025] At this point in the operation, if there is an existing tool 36mounted within the tool holder 34, i.e., the intent is to replace thetool 36, the push rod 38 would be raised to touch the bottom of thecutting tool 36. This would be controlled by the push rod 38 up button65. Then either manual measurement of the tool 36 and tool holder 34would be done or the measuring device 12 would be set at thepredetermined dimension for the tool and tool holder.

[0026] The heating unit 14 would then be programmed through thecontroller 15 which in this embodiment is being shown with the samenumeric indication as the push rod controller 15 and vacuum control.Again, as indicated above, these various controllers could be a singleunit or various units to control the various operations of unit 10. Thecontroller 15 would initiate heating of the heater 28 and also move theheater 28 into position so that the bore 64 in the heater is positionedover the bore of the tool holder 34 to heat that region and expand itfor receipt of the shank 40 of tool 36.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heater slide 30 is mounted throughbracket 62 to the spindle assembly 32 of the alignment device 16. Oncethe tool holder 34 is properly heated, the heating device 28 will moveaway from the tool holder 34 and either the existing tool 36 can beremoved and a new tool inserted into the bore. Or if it is a first timeassembly, a new tool is inserted. The fine adjustment knob 67 is thenused to raise or lower the tool 36 to the crosshairs of the opticalviewer 24. Once the tool 36 is properly within the crosshairs of opticalviewer 24, the proper alignment between tool 36 and tool holder 34 hasbeen achieved. The vacuum clamp is then released by pushing vacuum clampbutton 63 and the tool holder 36 and tool 34 are removed from thespindle 32 and placed into a cooling rack for complete cooling.

[0028] The foregoing detailed description shows the preferredembodiments of the present invention are well suited to fulfill theobjects of the invention. It is recognized that those skilled in the artmay make various modifications or additions to the preferred embodimentschosen herein to illustrate the present invention, without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is to beunderstood that the subject matter sought to be afforded protectionshould be deemed to extend to the subject matter defined in the appendedclaims, including all equivalents thereof.

[0029] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology that has been used isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather thanlimitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manymodifications and variations of the present invention are possible inlight of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedwithin the scope of the amended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool assembly unit for coupling a tool and atool holder, said unit comprising: a measuring device adapted todetermine the position of the tool with respect to the tool holder; analignment device coupled to said measuring device, said alignment devicebeing adapted to receive the tool holder; a moveable rod slideablydisposed on said alignment device, said rod being adapted to be coupledto the tool; and said rod being adapted to move the tool with respect tothe tool holder to a desired position as measured by said measuringdevice.
 2. A tool assembly unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the toolholder defines an aperture for slideably disposing said moveable rodtherein.
 3. A tool assembly unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidmeasuring device includes an optical viewer disposed thereon.
 4. A toolassembly as set forth in claim 3 including a controller coupled to saidoptical viewer and said alignment device for controlling said rod inresponse to input by a user.
 5. A tool assembly as set forth in claim 3including a controller coupled to said optical viewer and said alignmentdevice for controlling said rod in response to feedback from saidoptical viewer.
 6. A tool assembly unit as set forth in claim 1including a controller coupled to said measuring device and saidalignment device for controlling each of said devices.
 7. A toolassembly unit as set forth in claim 1 including a work table having themeasuring device being mounted thereon.
 8. A tool assembly unit as setforth in claim 1 wherein said is adapted for coupling the tool and toolholder by heat shrinking.
 9. A tool assembly unit for coupling a tooland a tool holder by heat shrinking, said unit comprising: a measuringdevice adapted to determine the position of the tool with respect to thetool holder; an alignment device coupled to said measuring device, saidalignment device being adapted to receive the tool holder; a heatingdevice slideably mounted on said alignment device and defining a borefor sliding the tool therethrough, said heating device adapted to beremovably mounted on said tool holder for heating the tool holder; amoveable rod slideably disposed on said alignment device, said rod beingadapted to be coupled to the tool; and said rod being adapted to movesaid tool with respect to the tool holder to a desired position asmeasured by said measuring device.
 10. A tool assembly unit as set forthin claim 9 wherein the tool holder defines an aperture for slideablydisposing said moveable rod therein.
 11. A tool assembly unit as setforth in claim 9 wherein said measuring device includes an opticalviewer disposed thereon.
 12. A tool assembly as set forth in claim 11including a controller coupled to said optical viewer and said alignmentdevice for controlling said rod in response to feedback input by a user.13. A tool assembly as set forth in claim 11 including a controllercoupled to said optical viewer and said alignment device for controllingsaid rod in response to feedback from said optical viewer.
 14. A toolassembly unit as set forth in claim 9 including a controller coupled tosaid measuring device, said alignment device and said heating device forcontrolling each of said devices.
 15. A tool assembly unit as set forthin claim 9 including a work table having the measuring device beingmounted thereon.
 16. A method for coupling a tool and a tool holderusing a tool assembly unit including a measuring device coupled to analignment device and a moveable rod slideably disposed on the alignmentdevice, said method comprising the steps of: mounting the tool holder onthe alignment device; coupling the moveable rod to the tool; measuringan actual relative position between the tool and tool holder; moving thetool within the tool holder until the actual relative position of thetool relative to the tool holder is equal to a desired position;removing the tool holder and the tool from the alignment device.
 17. Amethod as set forth in claim 16 wherein the tool holder defines anaperture, said method including the step of slideably disposing themoveable rod in the aperture.
 18. A method as set forth in claim 16including the step of moving the tool within the aperture until theactual relative position of the tool to the tool holder is equal to thedesired position.
 19. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein themeasurement device includes an optical viewer disposed thereon formeasuring the actual relative position of the tool with respect to thetool holder.
 20. A method as set forth in claim 19 wherein the toolassembly unit includes a controller coupled to the optical viewer andthe alignment device, said method including the step of controlling therod in response to feedback input by a user.
 21. A method as set forthin claim 19 wherein the tool assembly unit includes a controller coupledto the optical viewer and the alignment device, said method includingthe step of controlling the rod in response to feedback from the opticalviewer.
 22. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein the tool assemblyunit includes a controller coupled to the measuring device, thealignment device and the heating device for controlling each of thedevices.
 23. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step ofaffixing the tool to the tool holder by heat shrinking.
 24. A method forcoupling a tool and a tool holder by heat shrinking using a toolassembly unit including a measuring device coupled to an alignmentdevice having a heating device slideably mounted thereon and a moveablerod slideably disposed on the alignment device, said method comprisingthe steps of: mounting the tool holder on the alignment device; heatingthe tool holder; coupling the moveable rod to the tool; measuring anactual relative position between the tool and the tool holder; movingthe tool within the tool holder until the actual position of the toolrelative to the tool holder is equal to a desired position; cooling thetool holder to shrink the tool holder around the tool; and removing thetool holder and the tool from the alignment device.
 25. A method as setforth in claim 24 wherein the tool holder defines an aperture, saidmethod including the step of slideably disposing the moveable rod in theaperture.
 26. A method as set forth in claim 25 including the step ofmoving the tool within the aperture until the actual relative positionof the tool to the tool holder is equal to the desired position.
 27. Amethod as set forth in claim 24 wherein the measurement device includesan optical viewer disposed thereon for measuring the actual relativeposition of the tool with respect to the tool holder.
 28. A method asset forth in claim 27 wherein the tool assembly unit includes acontroller coupled to the optical viewer and the alignment device, saidmethod including the step of controlling the rod in response to feedbackinput by a user.
 29. A method as set forth in claim 27 wherein the toolassembly unit includes a controller coupled to the optical viewer andthe alignment device, said method including the step of controlling therod in response to feedback from the optical viewer
 30. A method as setforth in claim 24 wherein the tool assembly unit includes a controllercoupled to the measuring device, the alignment device and the heatingdevice for controlling each of the devices.